When it comes to considering large livestock, it is essential to carefully choose an animal specific breed with genetic traits that offer numerous benefits. A homesteader's selection criteria should aim for more than just milk or beef; the focus should be on obtaining both milk and beef from the chosen breed. By doing so, the homesteader can maximize the resources available and ensure a sustainable and diverse approach to livestock management. But Dexters are truly multi-faceted creatures on the farm offering much more than just milk and beef! In addition to being a source of nourishment, these animals offer valuable resources that enrich various aspects of farm life. From crafting soap and artisan goods with their byproducts to contributing to soil health and helping manage weeds, Dexter cattle can play a vital role in sustaining the farm ecosystem. Beyond their practical benefits, they can also serve as a source of supplementary income and serve as a fulfilling hobby for many farm owners who take pleasure in showcasing and caring for their animals.

Livestock don't have to be massive to bring substantial benefits, particularly on smaller plots of land, and in this regard, Dexters are unmatched. Unlike many other bovine varieties geared towards either beef or dairy, Dexters prioritize the caliber of their yield over quantity. These creatures yield top-notch beef and exceptional milk in modest amounts. While they may not address global hunger, they adeptly transform grass and forage into wholesome, delectable sustenance for a household and community. Juxtapose all of that to a Dexter, a breed known for its hardiness and ability to thrive in a wide variety of locations. Due to their robust health, vaccines and antibiotics are seldom necessary. Being smaller in size, Dexters need less maintenance to stay in good body condition, making them efficient in terms of pounds per acre compared to larger breeds. Their manageable size also makes them perfect for farms with small children and young adults. With the sheer bulk of standard breeds presenting management challenges, the less intimidating size of Dexters gives young people, women, and even seniors the satisfaction of being able to “manage ‘em themselves.” Additionally, their typically friendly and unthreatening temperaments make it easy to understand how they quickly become endeared more as a “family pet,” easily integrating into the daily life of a homestead, making them the ideal family cow. This unique combination of size and temperament sets Dexters apart as versatile and beloved additions to any farm whether commercial or hobby.

With their naturally small size and gentle temperament, Dexters are an ideal choice for those looking to raise grass-fed/grass-finished beef. Depending on your preference and desired outcome, you have the flexibility to harvest these beautiful animals as early as eighteen months for a leaner product or wait a bit longer until twenty-four months for beef with richer marbling, catering to a range of tastes and culinary preferences. Dexter milk is different from popular dairy breeds like Jerseys or Guernsey. It has 4% butterfat but is more mixed with the milk compared to others, making cream separation less noticeable, great for cheese-making. Even after removing cream, Dexter milk isn't like skimmed milk but has a fresh, rich, light taste. Dexters produce less milk (1-2 gallons per milking) than specialized breeds, but they serve as dual-purpose cows for family needs, providing milk for the family and nourishing the calf, which will one day be beef! Dexter beef is unsurpassed in taste! Ask any butcher or chef who has been fortunate enough to prepare Dexter beef, and they will confirm its exceptional taste compared to other beef breeds. And the tallow can be used for cooking or for the making of soaps and lotions. Furthermore, a significant benefit lies in the conversion ratio from hanging weight to cut & wrap weight. While typical beef breeds typically fall within the 40-50% range, a Dexter harvested at the optimal time can exceed the 50-55% mark.

Homesteaders understand that quality beef and milk are just the beginning of their needs. Efficiency and low maintenance are equally important, which is why Dexters are the perfect choice. Unlike commercial producers who are realizing that "bigger does not equal better," homesteaders appreciate the balanced approach of Dexters. Commercial operations focused on high volume have overlooked the financial and maintenance costs involved. For example, commercial dairy cows require substantial feed and pharmaceuticals to sustain high production levels, leading to shorter lifespans. Similarly, beef producers face challenges like assisting with calf births, increasing risks of financial losses and health issues for both cows and calves. Hence, the mindful choice of Dexters aligns well with the ethos of responsible and sustainable homesteading. A young female Dexter cow typically gives birth to her first calf at age two and can continue having calves until she is eighteen. Dexter cows can be more productive over their lifetime compared to other breeds. Homesteaders often practice share-milking or once-a-day milking with Dexters, where the calf stays with the mother at night and is separated during milking in the morning. This method allows the calf to benefit from the mother's milk antibodies and facilitates its growth without the need for regular bottle feeding. Unlike other dairy breeds that require daily milking, milking Dexters is more flexible and not mandatory.

Originally Dexters were mostly small, black, and horned, but today there is a wide range of sizes and body types. Here at No LACK Farm we have a truly diverse herd of black, red as well as dun colored and horned as well as polled (hornless) genetics. While color and whether they are polled or horned comes down to personal preference. Of more importance is to learn what good conformation looks like, including feet and udders (and scrotum sack if you are purchasing a bull), and what a good temperament looks like (particularly important if you have young children). So first, education is paramount, so that you can distinguish between good and bad traits in the cattle. When it finally comes to investing in any large livestock, the homesteader motto: “why pay more when you can pay less?” is answered with “Because you will spend more when you spend less.” The initial investment of large livestock is nothing compared to the maintenance, infrastructure needed and potential health issues that might be undetectable without knowing what to look for or by getting proof of a clean bill of health by a veterinarian or validation with simple and affordable genetic testing. All of the registered dexter cattle at the No LACK Farm have had their genetics verified with UC Davis Veterinary labs, so you will know up front and with certainty that you are getting a quality animal. Next, you need to know from where it came. This is also why buying registered dexter cattle is important! Registration is a way to ensure the accuracy of the pedigree and the record of ownership over the animal’s lifetime, and can also show any genetic testing done, which is like looking under the hood when you are buying a car-a very: its a very good idea. Details found in the DNA can contain both desirable and undesirable genes and you would surely want to know if they are present or not. Say that you need A2A2 milk, all of a sudden genetics become vey important!

Why choose the No Lack Farm to purchase your Dexter? Because we understand the importance of accurate record keeping and registration, and we raise our cattle in a way that compliments the ecosystem rather than degrading it. Farms are as varied as cattle themselves; from fellow homesteaders with their eye on practicality and functionality to others focusing on breeding “show quality” stock. Some breeders love raising the small Dexters as a hobby and some are passionate about preserving the rare ancient bloodlines within the Dexter breed. We concentrate on breeding quality stock that is balanced for meat and milk with a confirmation that adheres to the breed standards. As far as handling ability is concerned all of our Dexter cattle are raised to be calm and as gentle as an animal of that size can be. We do not tolerate aggressive behaviors in our Dexters. All of our cattle are trained to hotwire so containment is relativley stress free. We take pride in our Dexters genetics. Sires and dams are specifically chosen to bring the strengths of one to offset a weakness in the other and to provide other desired genetic traits resulting with each generation of offspring being an improvement from the previous one. We are very selective with the farms that we buy livestock from so we can ensure that we improve the quality of our Dexters season after season. Something important for you to consider when buying livestock is that you are not just buying the animals, you are buying the farmers’ knowledge and experience as well. A reputable Dexter farmer loves their Dexters and will do all they can to ensure that you do too, by mentoring you if you are new to livestock, and being available to answer questions or offer advice long after your initial purchase. At the No Lack Farm we are just as selective with our customers as we are with our livestock. We care about our livestock and need to ensure both for the sake of the animals as well as the reputation of the farm that they go to responsible individuals. So, you can rest assured that the few hundred extra dollars that you might spend when buying a purebred registered Dexter from the No LACK Farm is money well spent.